Product display device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for displaying dispenser containers at point of sale locations. The device includes a drip tray or base for holding the product container and a back member that extends upwardly from the base. An adjustable loop is then looped around the product container, attached to the device and placed in tension to hold the product container firmly in the base and bias the product toward the back member. After placing the product container in the device, the device can then be used to display the product container for sampling or other purposes at a point of purchase location, including mounting the device to a store shelf.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a device for displaying and samplingproducts. More specifically the invention relates to a device fordisplaying products such as dispensing containers at points of purchaseand a method for sampling the product at point of purchase locations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The display of products at point of purchase locations is well known inthe field of product marketing. The distribution of product samples isalso well known in the field of product marketing. Display anddistribution of product samples at point of sale locations to generateinterest and thus sales in a product using special display devices hasbeen known for many years in the field of product marketing.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,911 issued to Watts et al. discloses adisplay device for an analgesic container mounted to a store shelf at apoint of sale location. The container is attached to the display deviceand requires a special cap. Some products that are packaged to be soldin dispensing containers, such as perfume, are also displayed at pointof purchase locations using special display devices. U.S. Pat. No.5,829,642 issued to Momboisse discloses a display device for testingspray cosmetics. The device in Momboisse can be placed on a counter andthe dispensing container holding the product to be sampled sits inside acase 13 out of view of the consumer.

Other holders for dispensing containers are also known in the prior artfor general use. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,713 issued to BeBow andU.S. Pat. No. 5,971,335 issued to Perrin et al. both disclose holdersfor dispensing containers. These holders require the dispensercontainers to be held on an angle and each holder is limited to aspecific size range of dispenser containers that will fit in eachholder.

Connectors for attaching devices to store shelves are also known in theprior art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,109,599; 5,472,289; 5,344,250; and 5,289,652issued to Kringel disclose various connectors and advertising displaymounting devices for attaching to store shelves.

However, there exists a need for a product display device that permitsthe display of a product container, such as a dispensing container, at apoint of sale location where the product container is visible to theconsumer. Additionally, there is a need for a product display devicethat can be adjusted to accommodate different product containers havingdifferent sizes or dimensions especially a device that can be attachedto a store shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a device in accordance with the invention a product dispensingcontainer can be firmly mounted to store shelf so that customers canconveniently sample the contents of the dispensing container.

This is achieved in accordance with one embodiment of the invention witha device for displaying a product container with a base that defines anarea for receiving the dispenser container. The base has at least oneprotuberance on the bottom wall of the base that partially defines areceiving area in the base. The protuberance can be of many dimensions.The protuberance has a lower base portion and an upper top portion withthe protuberance base portion being closer to the back wall of the basethan the protuberance's upper portion. Extending upwardly from the baseof the invention is a back member. A generally flexible retaining memberor loop is looped around or attached to the dispensing container and toan adjustable tensioner located at the back of the device.

When a dispensing container is positioned in the base and the flexibleretaining member is placed in tension by the tensioner, the dispensingcontainer is pressed downward against the protuberance in said base andis biased toward the back member so that the dispenser can be firmlyheld to a store shelf for customers to activate the dispenser and sampleits contents.

In the preferred embodiment the device is made with a multi-piece backmember including an adjustable tensioner, a hook and a sliderarrangement that keeps the retaining member in tension. Another type oftensioner can be a screw around which one end of the retaining member isattached. Tension can be increased or adjusted by turning the screw inthe appropriate direction. The retaining member can be a loop or a rigidelement that couples at one end to a dispensing container and to thetensioner at another end.

The device can have its base removable from the rest of the device. Thispermits the base to act as a drip tray that can be changed if it becomesdamaged, dirty or needs to be replaced for any other reason.

The back member can be made of multiple pieces such as a slider and backbracket arrangement with the slider having a hook to which the retainingmember or loop is attached and a row of teeth, and the back brackethaving a flexible tongue with a nub that engages the teeth of theslider. The flexible tongue of the back bracket engages teeth on theslider for adjusting the back bracket to accommodate containers ofvarious sizes and maintain tension on the tensioning member.

The invention also contemplates having a connector that allows thedisplay device to be attached to the front of a typical store shelf orat a point of sale location. The display device is particularlyeffective for use at store shelves to allow potential customers tosample product from a dispensing container such as a push top or pumpdispenser used for hand lotion.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a display devicefor displaying a product dispensing container on a store shelf to enablecustomers to sample the contents of the container dispenser.

It is a further object of the invention to have a display device capableof displaying a product in a dispensing container that allows theproduct to be dispensed from the dispensing container while firmlyholding the dispensing container while it is attached to a store shelf.

It is further an object of this invention to have a display device thatholds the product in an upright position while it is attached to a storeshelf.

It is a further object of the invention to have a product display devicethat can be attached to a store shelf that sufficiently supports adispensing container to allow the dispenser to be operated while, at thesame time, allowing the dispensing container to be positioned to standout among other products on the shelf.

It is a further object of the invention to have a store shelf mountedproduct display device that includes apparatus to catch excess dispensedproduct that is spilled from the dispensing container when it isattached to a store shelf.

Because dispensing containers also come in a variety of sizes, it isalso an object of some embodiments of the invention for the displaydevice to be adjustable and capable of firmly holding a variety ofcontainer sizes while still permitting the dispenser contents to bedispensed when attached to a store shelf.

It is a further object of the invention to have a display device thatwill securely hold the product displayed and prevent its easy removal ortheft from the point of sale location when attached to a store shelf.

It is yet another object of the invention to have a display device thatpermits the consumer to see the actual dispensing container for theproduct the consumer is dispensing and sampling when the dispensingcontainer is attached to a shelf.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention can beunderstood from the following description of several embodiments of theinvention as described in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the base of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 a is a cross-sectional, side view of the base of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the back bracket of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a back view of the back bracket of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a back view of the slider of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the slider of the embodiment shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the slider of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the assembly of the base onto the backbracket of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1showing the assembly and tensioning of the retaining member looped onthe dispenser bottle and slider.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 showing thedevice in a fully assembled position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of theembodiment shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a back view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 showing thedevice in a fully assembled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A first embodiment of the invention can be seen in FIG. 1 which shows aperspective view of one embodiment of the invention fully assembledwhere the product container to be displayed in the product displaydevice 10 is a dispensing container 2 with a push top dispenser. In FIG.1, the product container is a dispenser for lotion such as hand lotion,but the device could be adapted for other containers or bottles,including those that contain other liquids, fluids or gels. The devicecould also be adapted for use with dispensers other than a push top orpump dispenser.

As better seen in the exploded view of FIG. 2, the product displaydevice 10 includes a base or drip tray 12, and a back member 14extending upwardly from the base 12. The back member in this firstembodiment includes a back bracket 16 and a slider 18. In the preferredembodiment, the display device 10 also includes a generally flexibleretaining member or loop 20 that is looped around the product container2 near the upper end of the product container and the back member 14when the device is fully assembled. In the preferred embodiment, theretaining member or loop 20 comprises a length of fishing line, butother flexible materials such as thread, plastic or rubber could beused. The retaining member could also be comprised of one or more rigidsections connected by articulating joints or hinges. The rigid retainingmember acts as a rigid dispensing container gripper that grips thedispensing container near its upper end. The retaining member 20 needonly be sufficiently movable or adjustable to permit the retainingmember to be arranged to be joined between the dispensing productcontainer and the device. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 alsoincludes a connector 22 that engages with the back member 14 and can beattached to a shelf to hold the device 10 on the shelf. The connector inthe preferred embodiment is used to attach the display device to a shelfin a grocery store at a point of purchase location. A connector 22 canbe used to attach the device not only to a store shelf but to any othertype of support such as, but not limited to, stands, poles, walls,ceilings, counters, doors or any other type of support found in thedisplay area of a store. The device 10 without a connector could also beused on a store shelf or counter.

The base 12, which can also be seen in a top view in FIG. 3 and bottomview in FIG. 4, has a bottom wall 24 and a receiving area 26 forreceiving the dispensing container 2. The base 2 also has at least oneprotuberance 28. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 the basehas two protuberances or wings 28. It is known to those skilled in theart that various designs and shapes of protuberances can be used in theinvention, provided that the distance between the lower portion orbottom 29 of the protuberance 28 and the back wall 30 of the base 12 isless than the distance between the upper portion or top 31 of theprotuberance and the back wall 30 of the base 12. This can be best seenin FIG. 4A, a cross-section of the base in the first embodiment showinga protuberance 28. As shown in FIG. 4A, the distance L₁ (the distancebetween the lower portion of the protuberance or protuberance base 29and the base's back wall 30) is less than the distance L₂ (the distancebetween the upper portion of the protuberance 31 and the base's backwall 30). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, eachprotuberance 28 has a straight, inclined surface 33 that slopes downtoward the back wall 30 of the base. The protuberance 28 partiallydefines the receiving area 26 for the product container 2, such thatwhen the product container 2 is placed in the receiving area 26, theproduct container is inhibited from moving within the base by theprotuberances 28. Because the protuberance 28 is inclined, that is thelower portion of the protuberance 29 is closer to the back wall 30 thanthe upper portion of the protuberance 31, product containers withvarious dimensions can be used with the same base or drip tray 12 andstill be held firmly in place when displaying the product container.This is particularly important when the product container 2 is adispensing container and a potential customer activates the dispensingcontainer to sample product from the dispensing container. The forcecreated by activating the dispensing container can sometimes cause theproduct container to unintentionally and undesirably move or loosenwithin the base. Holding the base firmly is also important to preventtheft of the product container from the point of sale location. The basealso extends out horizontally from the product container base to providean area 27 for collecting drips from a product dispenser or any sampledproduct that is not properly handled by a consumer.

The base could also include a receiving area comprising a recessed areain the base having the approximate width and depth dimensions of thebottom portion of the dispensing container, thus allowing the bottomportion of the dispensing container to nest-within the recessed area.

In the preferred embodiment, the base 2 is assembled onto the backbracket 16 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The back bracket 16 has arms 32that extend upward and fit into the protuberances 28 in the base. Duringassembly of the device, the base 12 can be easily assembled onto theback bracket 16 by first inserting the base's back wall 30 under a lip41 then moving the base in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 10.This assembly of the base 12 permits easy assembly and replacement ofthe base during replacement of the base 12, due to cleaning, replacementor any other purpose. After the base 12 is assembled on the back bracket16, the bottom of the product container 2 is positioned in the receivingarea 26 of the base between the protuberance 28 and back wall 30. Whenin the base 12 and assembled with the retaining member in tension, theproduct container 2 is biased toward the back member 14. The productcontainer 2 and retaining member can also be arranged to cause theproduct container to be biased in a downward direction toward the base12, when the retaining member is in tension.

The back side 34 of the back bracket 16 has a flexible tongue 36 with anub 38 at the end. This nub 38 is used to engage the slider 18 which isshown in detail in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The slider 18 has a series ofstepped teeth 42 that extend down the front side of the slider 16. Whenthe device is assembled, the slider 18 slides down in a channel 40 inthe back bracket 16. As the slider slides down the channel 40, the teeth42 on the slider shown in FIG. 9 begin to engage the tongue 36 and nub38 of the back bracket. As the teeth 42 engage the tongue 36 and nub 38,the tongue 36 flexes to permit the slider 18 to continue to movedownward; however, if the slider 18 is attempted to be moved upward inthe opposite direction, the nub 38 locks in the teeth 42 and preventsthe slider 18 from moving upward. The slider 18 also has a loop hook 44around which loop 20 is looped. Other types of hooks or other fasteningarrangements could also be used by those skilled in the art to fastenthe loop 20 to the back member 14.

The loop 20 is looped around the dispenser container 2, and around theloop hook 44. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 11, once the loop is loopedaround both the bottle 2 and loop hook 44, the slider 18 is moveddownward. As the slider 18 moves downward in the back bracket channel40, the tongue 36 flexes to allow the teeth 42 to slide past the tonguein a downward direction as shown by the arrow in FIG. 11; however, thenub 38 quickly engages with teeth 42 if the slider 18 is moved in anupward direction opposite the arrow. By having teeth 42 extending downthe front of the slider 18, the slider 18, back bracket 16 and loop 20form a tensioner 50 that is fully adjustable for a variety of productcontainer sizes using the same size loop. The tensioner 50 can beslideably adjusted to ensure the correct amount of tension on the loop20 to firmly hold the product container 2 in place without causingdamage to the product container, regardless of the dimensions of theproduct container. When in tension, the retaining member 20 retains thedispensing container 2 in said base and biases the container 2 towardthe back member 14. It is also contemplated that other arrangementscould be used to tension the retaining member such as placing the teethon the back bracket and flexible tongue on the slider, or various othertypes of known adjustable or ratchet assemblies could be used by thoseskilled in the art.

By working together, the back bracket 16 with its flexible tongue 36 andthe slider 18 with its teeth 42 and loop hook 44, act as a tensioner 50that allows the user to exert tension on the retaining member 20 andmaintain the tension on the retaining member 20 while the productcontainer is displayed. FIG. 12 shows the embodiment in a fullyassembled position with the tensioning element fully engaged. The backmember 14 also has holes 46 that permit a connector 22 to attach to theback member 14. The connector 22 is then attached to-a-store shelf.Those skilled in the art will recognize that any variety of connectorscould be used to attach the display device to a store shelf in a varietyof ways, including, but not limited to, using any type of mechanicalclamping, or locking, magnetism or adhesives. When attached to a shelf,such as a store shelf, this display device 10 holds the dispensercontainer 2 in a position extended from the shelf and in a substantiallyvertical position. The arrangement of the product container 2 in thedevice 10 permits the product container 2, from which the potentialcustomer can dispense or sample product, to be displayed for easyviewing by the potential customer.

A second embodiment of the device is shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15.Referring to FIG. 13, the second embodiment includes a base 12′ withcone-shaped protuberances 28′ for at least partially defining theproduct receiving area 26′. The back member 14′ extends upwardly fromthe base 12′. The product container in the second embodiment also is adispensing container 2′ and is first placed in the base 12′. After theproduct container 2′ is placed in the base 12′, the flexible retainingmember 20′ is looped around the top end of the product container. Theretaining member 20′ is then extended down around the back member 14′and looped around a screw or fastener 49. When looped around the screw49, the retaining member 20′ is adjusted until the retaining member 20′is placed in sufficient tension to hold the product container 2 firmlyin place. The product container 2′ is then biased toward the back member14′. The screw 49 can then be tightened to add further tension to theretaining member 20′. The combination of the retaining member 20′ andscrew 49 form a tensioner 50′ that firmly holds the product container inplace during operation of the dispenser container does not permit easyremoval or theft of the product container.

The second embodiment can also be easily attached to a store shelf as apoint of purchase display using a connector 48′ as described earlier.

The product display device can also be arranged to incorporate orinclude printed marketing or advertising materials such as risers 52which are slid down between the product container 2, 2′ and the backmember 14 14′. The back member 14, 14′ can include slots or channelsthat permit the back member 14, 14′ to receive and hold the riser 52.The riser 52 can also include openings through which the retainingmember 20, 20′ passes when the retaining member 20, 20′ is assembled andtensioned on the device.

Having thus described several embodiments of a device to mount containerdispensers onto a store shelf, its advantages can be appreciated.Variations of the invention can be made. For example, the flexibleretaining member can be replaced a rigid bracket that at least partiallyengages a container dispenser and is coupled to the tensioner. When thetensioner is activated the rigid bracket is brought down on thedispenser and its downward motion causes the dispenser to be pressedagainst the base and towards the back member.

1. A device for displaying a dispensing container comprising: a basedefining an area for receiving the dispensing container, said basehaving a bottom wall with a protuberance, said area for receiving thedispensing container at least partially defined by said protuberance insaid bottom wall; a back member extending upwardly from said base; agenerally flexible retaining member looped around a portion of saiddispensing container and arranged such that when said dispensingcontainer is disposed in said base and said retaining member is placedin tension the dispensing container is retained in said base and biasedtoward said back member.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said backmember further comprises a slider and a back bracket.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 further comprising a tensioner to maintain said retaining memberin tension.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said tensioner is anadjustable screw mounted in said back member
 5. The device of claim 3wherein said tensioner is a loop, hook and slide arrangement.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said base is removable from said back member.7. The device of claim 1 wherein said base has a back wall and saidprotuberance has a lower portion and an upper portion with said lowerportion being closer to said back wall than said upper portion.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein said base has a second protuberance.
 9. Thedevice of claim 8 wherein said base has a back wall and said first andsecond protuberances each have a lower portion and an upper portion withsaid lower portions being closer to said back wall than said upperportions.
 10. A device for displaying a product container from asupport, said device comprising; a base defining an area for receivingthe product container; a back member extending upwardly from said base;a generally flexible retaining member looped around a portion of saidproduct container and arranged such that when the product container isdisposed in said base and said retaining member is placed in tension theproduct container is retained in said base and biased toward said backmember; and a connector engaged with said back member for connectingsaid back member to said support.
 11. The device of claim 10 whereinsaid support is a shelf.
 12. The device of claim 10 wherein said supportis a pole.
 13. The device of claim 10 further including a base having aprotuberance at least partially defining a receiving area for saidproduct container.
 14. The device of claim 10 further comprising a backmember having a slider and a back bracket such that adjustment of saidslider maintains said retaining member in tension.
 15. The device ofclaim 14 wherein said retaining member is a loop and a tensionercomprising said loop and a hook attached to said slider maintaining saidretaining member in tension.
 16. A device for displaying a productcontainer from a support, said device comprising: a base defining anarea for receiving the product container, said base having a bottom wallwith a protuberance, said area for receiving the product container atleast partially defined by said protuberance in said bottom wall; a backmember extending upwardly from said base; a generally flexible retainingmember looped around a portion of said product container and arrangedsuch that when said product container is disposed in said base and saidretaining member is placed in tension the product is retained in saidbase and biased toward said back member; a connector engaged with saidback member and capable of engaging said support; and a tensionercausing said retaining member to be maintained in tension.
 17. Thedevice of claim 16 wherein said support is a shelf.
 18. The device ofclaim 16 having a tensioner including a screw engaged with saidretaining member and causing said retaining member to be maintained intension.
 19. The device of claim 16 such that at least a portion of theproduct container is visible when displayed in said device.
 20. Thedevice of claim 16 further including marketing material positioned insaid back member.
 21. A method for displaying a product container from asupport comprising: providing a base defining an area for receiving theproduct; providing a back member extending upwardly from said base;placing a product container in said base; passing a retaining memberaround a portion of said product container and engaging said retainingmember with a tensioner; adjusting said tensioner to place saidretaining member in tension and biasing said product toward said backmember; and attaching said back member to said support.
 22. The methodof claim 21 further including assembling said base to said back memberprior to placing said product container in said base.
 23. The method ofclaim 21 further providing a back member comprising a slider and backbracket.
 24. The method of claim 21 further providing a tensioner with aback bracket and a slider, and adjusting said tensioning element bymoving said back bracket and slider relative to each other.
 25. Themethod of claim 21 wherein said support is a shelf and said back memberis attached to said shelf.
 26. The method of claim 21 wherein saidsupport is a pole and said back member is attached to said pole.
 27. Adevice for displaying a dispensing container while being mounted to asupport in a store, comprising: a base defining an area for retainingsaid container; a back member extending upwardly from said base; anadjustable tensioner; and a retaining member coupled to said dispensingcontainer and to said tensioner to enable an adjustment of saidtensioner to bias said dispenser in a downward direction and againstsaid back member, whereby said dispenser can be firmly held in place tosaid support while being accessible to customers for examining thecontents of the dispensing container.
 28. The device of claim 27 whereinsaid support is a store shelf.
 29. The device of claim 27 wherein saidtensioner comprises a slider and a back bracket moveable relative toeach other for tensioning of said retaining member during adjustment ofsaid tensioner.
 30. The device of claim 27 and further comprising: abase having a protuberance that contacts a lower end of a dispensingcontainer when said container is held by said retaining member.
 31. Thedevice of claim 27 wherein said retaining member comprises a rigiddispensing container gripper.
 32. The device of claim 27 wherein saidretaining member comprises a flexible loop.
 33. A device for displayinga dispensing container from a store shelf comprising; a base forsupporting said dispensing container; a back member extending upwardlyfrom said base and having a movable portion; a retaining membersurrounding a portion of said dispensing container and engaging saidmovable portion of said back member, said retaining member being intension; said retaining member causing said dispensing container to bebiased in a direction toward said back member; and a connector forconnecting said device to a store shelf.
 34. The device of claim 33further comprising a back member wherein said movable portion isslideable in a downward direction.
 35. A device for displaying adispensing container from a support in a store comprising: a basedefining a receiving area for said dispensing container; a back memberextending upwardly from said base; an adjustable retaining memberpositioned around a portion of said dispensing container and connectedto said back member such that said retaining member retains saidcontainer in a substantially upright position in said receiving area andsaid container is biased toward said back member; and a connector forconnecting said device to a support.
 36. The device of claim 35 whereinsaid support is a store shelf.
 37. The device of claim 35 wherein saidsupport is a pole.
 38. The device of claim 35 further comprising a basewith a protuberance.
 39. The device of claim 35 further comprising aback member having a slider and a back bracket.
 40. The device of claim39 further having a tensioner comprised of said slider, back bracketretaining member and a hook on said slide for adjusting the tension onsaid retaining member.